Tooth whitening compositions and methods

Abstract

A method of whitening a tooth surface including contacting the surface of a tooth with an efficacious amount of a substantially non-cytotoxic composition. The non-cytotoxic composition includes chlorine dioxide and no more than about 0.25 milligrams oxy-chlorine anions per gram of the composition.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of whitening a tooth surface, the method comprising contacting the surface of a tooth with an efficacious amount of a substantially non-cytotoxic composition, wherein the composition comprises oxy-chlorine anions, at least about 20 ppm chlorine dioxide and no more than about 0.25 milligrams oxy-chlorine anion per gram of the composition. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises about 20 to about 1000 ppm chlorine dioxide. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises less than about 0.2 milligrams oxy-chlorine anion per gram composition. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a pH from about 4.5 to about 11. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a thickened fluid composition comprising a thickener component. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the thickener component is selected from the group consisting of natural hydrocolloids, semisynthetic hydrocolloids, synthetic hydrocolloids, and clay. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein contacting the tooth with the composition does not: substantially damage hard tooth tissue; substantially reduce enamel microhardness; substantially reduce dentin microhardness; cause tooth sensitivity and/or substantially increase surface roughness of at least one of enamel and dentin. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein rate and/or extent of rebound is reduced compared to a peroxide bleaching agent. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is substantially non-irritating and contacting the tooth surface includes substantial contact with soft oral tissue. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contacted tooth surface is whitened by at least about 3 shade value units.